title: Elimination of cholera in the democratic Republic of the Congo: the new national policy.
abstract: We evaluated published and unpublished data on cholera cases and deaths reported from clinical care facilities in the 56 health districts of the Democratic Republic of Congo to the National Ministry of Health during 2000-2011. Cholera incidence was highest in the eastern provinces bordering lakes and epidemics primarily originated in this region. Along with a strong seasonal component, our data suggest a potential Vibrio cholerae reservoir in the Rift Valley lakes and the possible contribution of the lakes' fishing industry to the spread of cholera. The National Ministry of Health has committed to the elimination-rather than control-of cholera in DRC and has adopted a new national policy built on improved alert, response, case management, and prevention. To achieve this goal and implement all these measures it will require strong partners in the international community with a similar vision.
authors.affiliation: Service de Microbiologie, Département de Biologie Médicale, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Republique Democratique du Congo.
authors.forename: Jean Jacques
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Muyembe
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bompangue
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mutombo
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Akilimali
authors.forename: Annie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mutombo
authors.forename: Berthe
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Miwanda
authors.forename: Jean de Dieu
authors.initials: Jde D
authors.lastname: Mpuruta
authors.forename: Kabunga Kambale
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Deka
authors.forename: Fataki
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bitakyerwa
authors.forename: Jaime Mufitini
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Saidi
authors.forename: Armand Luhembwe
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Mutadi
authors.forename: Raphael Senga
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Kakongo
authors.forename: Freddy
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Birembano
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mengel
authors.forename: Bradford D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Gessner
authors.forename: Benoît Kebela
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Ilunga
mesh_terms: D002771:Cholera / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003223:Congo / Q000453:epidemiology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006291:Health Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Africa; Democratic Republic of Congo; Vibrio cholerae; cholera; elimination; epidemiology